EU EN71 Testing Report for Children’s Bubble Toys
Date：2026-10-15 09:37:07 Classification
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Obtaining EU EN71 Test Reports for Children's Bubble Toys
Bubble wands, bottled bubble solution, and electric bubble machines all fall under the scope of the EU Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC). EN71 is a third-party test report, not a certificate. Upon obtaining a compliant report, manufacturers must also prepare an EU Declaration of Conformity, appoint an EU Authorized Representative, and include required warning labels on the product before affixing the CE mark and placing the goods on the EU market. Bubble solution is classified as an aqueous toy material and is a key area of scrutiny for customs authorities and cross-border e-commerce platforms.
I. List of Test Items
Basic testing for all bubble toys includes the following:
EN71-1 Mechanical and Physical Properties: Evaluates small parts, sharp points and edges, tension and torque, drop resistance, bottle compression strength, and suffocation risks associated with packaging films; controls on small parts are stricter for products intended for children under three years of age.
EN71-2 Flammability: Tests the burning rate of plastic and fabric components.
EN71-3 Migration of Certain Elements: Plastic parts and coatings are tested as one category of material; the bubble solution itself is tested separately as a Category II liquid material, covering 19 migratable heavy metals.
Bubble toys must also undergo EN71-17 testing, which targets isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT, CIT, BIT) in the bubble solution; this is a newly regulated item for aqueous toys and has been subject to frequent spot checks in recent years.
II. Additional Optional Items
EN71-9/10/11 Organic Chemical Compounds: Includes testing for phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA); testing is recommended for products intended for children under three years of age.
Electric Bubble Machines: Require additional testing under EN IEC 62115 (Safety of Electric Toys), covering circuits, battery short-circuits, temperature rise, and water/leakage resistance.
Outer packaging (color boxes) is not considered part of the toy itself and does not require EN71 testing; instead, it must be tested in accordance with the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) as previously discussed. III. Complete Processing Workflow
1. Preliminary Assessment and Test Plan Determination
Compile basic product information, including product type, target age group, and the Bill of Materials (BOM)—specifically the materials for the bottle body, plastic wand/nozzle, printing ink, and the complete formula for the bubble solution.
Distinguish between different homogeneous materials; the bubble solution, plastic bottle, wand/nozzle, and printing ink must be treated as separate testing units and cannot be tested as a combined mixture.
Select a third-party laboratory accredited with ISO17025 and CNAS that is capable of testing water-based toys, and confirm the quotation and turnaround time. The standard turnaround time for manual bubble products is 7–10 working days; for electric models requiring preservative testing, it is 10–15 working days.
2. Document Preparation and Sample Submission
Required Documentation
Testing application form, product photos and model information, BOM, bubble solution formula, product label draft, instruction manual, and the bubble solution's Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
Sample Preparation
Prepare 3–5 complete finished product units, including the bottle, bubble solution, wand, and outer packaging. Additionally, send a separate sample of the raw bubble solution for the laboratory to conduct specific liquid-phase tests.
Models sharing the same formula and materials—differing only in appearance or color—may share a single EN71 report. However, if the bubble solution formula changes, samples must be resubmitted for testing.
3. Laboratory Testing
The laboratory conducts tests sequentially, covering mechanical and physical properties, flammability, heavy metal migration, and quantitative analysis of preservatives. Electric bubble machines undergo additional testing for circuitry and battery safety.
If a product fails testing—commonly due to excessive preservatives or heavy metal migration in the bubble solution, or structural risks involving small parts—it may be resubmitted for re-testing after adjustments are made to the formula or product structure.
4. Issuance of EN71 Test Report
Upon successful completion of all tests, the laboratory issues an EN71 test report in both Chinese and English, stamped with the CNAS accreditation seal (Dezewei Testing CNAS Registration No.: L8083). The report lists the specific EN71 sub-standards applied and distinguishes between the test results for solid components and the bubble solution. The report can be used for cross-border e-commerce platform uploads, client audits, customs inspections, and inclusion in the CE technical file.
5. Completing the full set of CE compliance documentation (note: an EN71 report is not equivalent to CE certification).
Compile the Technical Documentation (TD), which includes product drawings, a Bill of Materials (BOM), EN71 test reports, risk assessments, and labels/instruction manuals.
Prepare a Declaration of Conformity (DoC). This document must be issued by an Authorized Representative (EC Rep) or an EU-based importer; testing laboratories do not provide the DoC.
Appoint an EU Authorized Representative—a mandatory requirement for toy products.
Affix the CE mark to the product packaging; the mark must be at least 5mm in height. Include age-related warning statements alongside it.
Address supplementary compliance requirements: conduct separate PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) testing for the outer cardboard packaging, and complete EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) registration for packaging in the target sales countries.
The complete technical file must be retained for at least 10 years and be made available to EU regulatory authorities upon request.
IV. Key Points for Labeling and Warnings
For products intended for children under 36 months, include a label stating that the product is unsuitable for children under 36 months and warning of the choking hazard posed by small parts.
For bubble solution, include additional warnings: avoid contact with eyes, do not ingest, and note potential risks for individuals with sensitive skin.
V. Common Considerations
Testing only the plastic bottle while neglecting the bubble solution itself will render the report invalid. As a liquid component of a toy, the bubble solution must undergo separate testing according to EN71-3 (Category II) and EN71-17.
If only the packaging design is changed while the bubble solution formula remains the same, the existing report may still be used; however, any change to the formula requires re-testing.
For electric bubble machines, testing only against EN71—while omitting EN IEC 62115—fails to meet the compliance requirements for electric toys.
Outer retail packaging (e.g., a printed cardboard box) is not considered part of the toy itself and does not require EN71 testing; instead, it must comply with the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation).
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